Globe Open Mic Night at Chagford

25/06/2026

#181. 24-Jun-26. A swelterigly hot evening at 35C that saw most of the pub's clientele on the pavement outside , rather than indoors. It being the night of the Brazil-Scotland match, Peter Shields and James Goodwin kicked off at 8:15 with the Brazilian bossa tune 'Wave', then James played 'The Skye Boat Song' on concertina before the duo played one more. Next up where Jenny and the Bets with three originals, and then three originals from Axel Van der Neut, and three from Muzz Murray. The duo Skellum did three 1960s/1970s covers, very well received. Badger & Mole did three covers, as did both Adam Hartman and Barney Goodwin. The evening concluded with Aaron Custance doing 2 comedy pastiches with a theme of Saving the Dartmoor Pony, and a third number, joined by Alex on backing vocals. Steve Dooley provided cajon support to many of the acts. We were all done by 10:30 having enjoyed 27 numbers from 9 acts, but the heat and/or the football meant thin numbers in the audience.

28/05/2026

#180. 27-May-26. James Goodwin hosted a busy night with 11 acts, kicking off at 8:00 with teenaged finger picker Perran followed by uke-player Niall MacLeod. First-timer here Rob Husband from Cheriton Bishop (pictured) did 3 originals, and was followed by Andy Metcalfe who did three guitar instrumentals. Into the second hour with two covers and an original from Axel Van Der Neut, with second guitar support from James, and then duo Pauper's Fortune did 3 covers. Jenny Dooley sang three of her originals, backed by Steve on cahon and James. Muzz Murray was joined by Andy on bass for his three originals. Into the third hour with another first-timer here, Adam Hartman from Meeth, who did 3 covers, as did Matt Tanner. It was left to Aaron Custance to close the show in his inimitable style with a scratch band of James on uke bass, Steve on cahon and Johnny Young on fiddle. A great night of music although not many audience.
Thanks to Jenny D for info and photo.

30/04/2026

#179. 29-Apr-26. A very busy and high quality session with a couple of welcome guests who were visiting Chagford. First of these was Dominic (pictured), from Dorset, who brought his violin and played along with opening act Jenny Dooley on her 3 originals. Andy & Charlotte did 3 numbers from the Swing era both of them singing and playing jazz guitar, and Andy switched to bass to support Muzz Murray on his three originals. Duo 'Skellum' did 3 songs from the 60s, Dominic's violin being added to great effect on 'Eleanor Rigby'. Barry Hill from San Diego (pictured) delivered 3 originals, well received - check out www.barryhillmusic.com. Dominic then did his own set mixing folk song and fiddle playing, closing with a lilting Swedish polka. Axel van der Neut gave us three of his cleverly constructed originals. We were running rather behind schedule and duo Pauper's Fortune breezed on and knocked out 3 country-tinged songs with perfect harmonies in short order to make up a bit of time. Hugh Clench commuted his set to two songs, an original and a cover, with deft fingerpicking, and Matt Tanner sang strongly on his three. Host Peter Shields, by request, sang 'Fisherman's Blues' to close the evening, with duelling fiddles support from Dominic and Johnny Young. 11 acts, 30 numbers, of which 13 were originals.

12/04/2026

Very sorry to learn of the death yesterday of Devon-based jazz legend Mike Westbrook OBE at the age of 90. He brought various line-ups to The Globe Sunday Jazz 3 times between 2017 and 2022, and a couple of his regular sidesmen have graced The Globe Open Mic, too. A local hero with a Europe-wide reputation.

https://www.facebook.com/Mike.J.D.Westbrook

Composer/Pianist/Bandleader Mike Westbrook has led and composed for a succession of big bands and sm